Products, Applications & Deployments

Patents with commercial application, an award winning commercial drivers license testing system, and strong partnerships that maximize resources and expertise are just a few examples of how RTI has earned a reputation of excellence, quality, service, and reliability. The state-of-the-practice research program at RTI emphasizes innovative solutions and applications to promote safe and efficient rural transportation systems and infrastructure designed for the Appalachian Region with global applications.

In less than ten years RTI has evolved into a multimodal institute with an increasing emphasis on Intelligent Transportation Systems, rail research and enhancements, and custom web-based Geographic Information Systems as demonstrated by a few examples shown below.

Highway

Highway projects are sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Transportation. Regional projects receive additional support from the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Intelligent Transportation Systems: Deployed by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, this system uses closed circuit television, roadside video cameras, image detections system, weather sensors and roadways sensor to monitor roadway and weather conditions, traffic flow and incidents in real time. Traveler updates are provided through signs, kiosks, computers and consumer PDA’s. A backup center for the system is currently underway.

Electronic Commercial Drivers License System (eCDL): An innovative, computer based program, the eCDL was developed by RTI for the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Driver’s Licensing Division. The program is designed with GPS technology to monitor testing and provide immediate notification if fraud is detected. In addition to increased safety, the program resulted in considerable financial savings to the state. The eCDL was chosen out of hundreds of entries as a national 2009 Innovations Award Winner at the Council of State Governments. Six other states and Canada have expressed interest in integrating the eCDL into their own testing processes.

GPS Reporting System: This allows the West Virginia State Police to record and electronically transmit information on traffic stops, incidents and arrests during a shift.

Rail

Rail projects are sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Research and Development, and are developed and tested with the cooperation and support of the major rail lines: CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railroad and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad as well as project engineers at TransSystems Corporation.

Solar Powered Lighting Technology: A public-private partnership with the Department of Energy to make railcars more visible and decrease accidents.

Intelligent Rail crossings: These increase the safety of passive rail crossings (those without lights, sound or gates) by using internet technology to provide train operators advance warning about possible interference.

Autonomous Railcar Tracking: The technology automatically tracks railcar position, speed and heading in real time using GPS and GIS. This makes it possible to track hazardous materials, time-sensitive cargo and railcar condition.

Automated Surveying Tool: This technology, now being used by a prominent rail line, allows surveyors to survey active railroad track with increased safety and minimal disruption.

Motion Induced Electronic Generator: Applies energy harnessed from moving rail cars to generate electricity and operate GPS tracking systems. RTI developed the devices to assist the rail industry in expanding its use of “smart car” technologies, but new technology can be applied to other forms of transportation.

Maritime

Maritime projects are sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are completed in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Port of Huntington. Access to the largest inland port in the nation increases the opportunities for testing products and applications.

Commercial Applications

Light-Emitting Ceramic Technologies (LECD) RTI received a patent for the Light-Emitting Ceramic Technologies (LECD), which was initially developed to provide additional safety applications to highway/railroad grade crossings. The lighting is energy efficient, weatherproof, waterproof, bulletproof, and shatter resistant was created through research conducted at RTI and Marshall University. The new lighting technology led to the creation of ECER Technologies, a Greenbrier County-based small business that manufactures products that feature the lighting, including identification signs, house markers, bedside lamps, and industrial applications. Additional commercial applications are underway using the LECD. Patent no.: US6825054 Issue Date: November 30, 2004.

Motion Induced Electronic Generator (MIEG) This technology applies energy harnessed from moving rail cars to generate electricity and operate GPS tracking systems. RTI developed the device to assist the rail industry in expanding its use of “smart car” technologies, but the new technology can be applied to other forms of transportation and use. Patent no.: US7629700 Issue Date: December 8, 2009.